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Two African
American Men Face Their Fears
Special to The Truth
Nathaniel Stewart and Reverend Frederick Douglas Brown, both
of Toledo, are living with a terminal diagnosis at home –
made possible by help they are receiving from Hospice of
Northwest Ohio.
Both men agree that most African-Americans in the Toledo
area are afraid to accept help from organizations like
Hospice of Northwest Ohio because of a lack of understanding
that leads to fear. “I thought they were going to come in
and give me shot and put me out.” says Stewart, who is
suffering from cancer that has spread to his bones.
Stewart explains, “When the doctor told me there was nothing
else that he could do for me, he encouraged me to call
Hospice of Northwest Ohio, but I was afraid. I was extremely
painful and not able to eat. I couldn’t hold down any food
because I was nauseous all the time and had lost over 30
pounds. I slept with my feet up on a tray table in an effort
to get some relief from the pain.”
“My wife knew we had to do something. I had given up.”
Stewart says, “When Beverly – the Hospice nurse – came in
she immediately had a special lift chair brought in so I
could sit comfortably and sleep and she worked with the
doctor to adjust my medication so I wasn’t nauseous any more
and I could eat. I have gained 15 pounds since March when I
started getting care from Hospice.”
Reverend Brown shares, “I think folks are ill-informed of
what Hospice of Northwest Ohio can do for them. I came home
to LIVE and it is with the help of Hospice that I can do
that.” Despite suffering from end-stage COPD, Brown
explains, “I am pain free and want free. Hospice of
Northwest Ohio has removed all the pitfalls and concerns
from my life and now I can live.”
“Before going on Hospice, I prayed and the Lord answered my
prayer. He looked beyond my thoughts and saw my needs.
Hospice (of Northwest Ohio) was the answer. And now, I look
forward to living and never think about dying!” says Brown.
Not Just for Rich White People
Similar to Stewart, it was the hospital who suggested Brown
and his wife, Willie, contact Hospice of Northwest Ohio. “I
thought Hospice was only for white people with money,”
admits Mrs. Brown. “Hospice has been a blessing – it is the
best kept secret in town,” she says.
Reverend Brown says with relief, “It is not just the day to
day living for me. After the Lord calls me home, Hospice
will be here for my wife and she is going to need it.”
Stewart wants everyone to know that a call to Hospice of
Northwest Ohio will allow you to get on with living. “Look
at where I was. I now have my strength back. I can go to
church and fishing. I even go to my favorite restaurant for
breakfast after church.”
It has been well documented that, as with other forms of
health care, African Americans under-use palliative and
hospice care services. In Lucas County, 17 percent of the
population is African-American while less than eight of
Hospice of Northwest Ohio’s patients are African-American.
Hospice of Northwest Ohio cares for terminally ill people of
all ages, with any end-stage illness---either in their own
homes, in nursing homes or at one of its two specially
designed Hospice Centers. It is a non-profit organization
and no one is ever turned away due to inability to pay. For
more information about Hospice of Northwest Ohio, visit the
website at
www.hospicenwo.org.
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